It's back but do we care? NHL 2013

Well it seems the boys will be taking to the ice soon but I would say I'm not in any hurry to see them there. After the long drawn-out affair, I'm somewhat bitter with them all and at this point don't see a lot of reason to say "yipee". More like I'm indifferent and likely to only the occassional game if nothing better is on. Not that I ever spent money on any team or attended any games but I did root for certain teams. Now it's just meh! whatever.

And Bettman -- don't get me started. I don't buy or believe his "apology" and am hoping that he leaves much sooner than later.

I hated the lockout, but this is the business part of hockey... The game is back, and I've never been so happy to have to put my alarm clock at 3 a.m. again!
And there's the whole Luongo drama going on, which should be interesting to follow!

I'm excited. I was angry and indifferent during the lockout, but whatever. I love hockey, I love the Oilers, and I'm excited for the season to (finally) get going!

Fun note - a bunch of the Oilers players are tweeting today that they're organizing a pick-up game of shinny at a local park this afternoon. Fun!

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Saw that on Twitter earlier today and good for them to do it. That's one way to get the fans back.

My other team, and one of your most hated , the Calgary Flames put together a bunch of players and Harvey the Hound and did a Visit the Minor League Arenas Tour today. Harvey looked exhausted in the last Tweet. Once again, great idea!!

Oh and last night Phil Pritchard, otherwise known as The Keeper of the Cup, tweeted a picture of the Cup in LA. It's the first time the Kings have seen it since they were added to the Cup and the reactions on their faces when pointing out their names? Priceless!!

I was annoyed at both sides during the lockout and just wanted them to get it done. I never made threats of never watching hockey again, I couldn't, I love the game. I can't wait for next Tuesday and the first home game!

The Wings played a scrimmage with their farm team at Compuware arena yesterday. I'd have gone if I wasn't busy. It "sold out" (tickets were free) an hour before the scrimmage was supposed to start. Comments about the fans:

Less than an hour before game time, 5:02 p.m. to be exact, of the Detroit Red Wings&#8217; Red and White game at Compuware Arena, the parking was shut down because the scrimmage was a sellout.

&#8220;I thought that was maybe the best thing about the whole night,&#8221; Wings coach Mike Babcock said after Team Red&#8217;s 4-2 win over Team White Tuesday night. &#8220;I understand the parking lot was jammed and it was tough getting in here. They fans are very, very supportive of the players and I&#8217;m appreciative that they stuck with us.&#8221;

&#8220;That&#8217;s awesome,&#8221; said goalie Jimmy Howard, who was in net for Team White. &#8220;Just says how much our fans love us. The way they came out here tonight, it&#8217;s inspiring for us.&#8221;

Well, barring the unexpected I'll be moving back to Montreal in a couple weeks. And that being the case I'm darned happy I'll have hockey on the TV. Slingbox feeds definitely don't cut it compared to HD. Go Habs!

The Panthers play down the street from me. I've been to one preseason game since they've existed. I'm going to their opening home game Saturday night. A bunch of fellow soccer fans are going, too. Upper deck in the corner is a $20 ticket. It should be fun.

I really haven't missed it and I won't really pay attention until the Canucks get to the playoffs but I'm not all that mad. I certainly don't blame the players--it's not like they are forcing the GM's to pay them those amounts. And I don't really blame any of the Canadian teams--most of them were doing fine beforehand. They're a minority to those US cities that have no business having a hockey team.

Of the 500-plus people who made their way to the Greene residence that day, a few particular strangers made quite the impression on the Kings blueliner.

&#8220;I see a guy beside the Cup with a full tuxedo on, and he&#8217;s got a camera around his neck&#8221; Green recalls. &#8220;I&#8217;m thinking &#8216;What the heck is this guy doing?&#8217; I didn&#8217;t recognize him at all.&#8221;

Eventually, Greene notices a bride and groom next to the Cup, who are subsequently joined by their bridesmaids and groomsmen.

&#8220;What are you going to do? Somebody on their wedding day wants to change their entire plan to come to a party where they don&#8217;t even know the guy who was hosting it, walk right in and take a picture in their wedding gown with their entire wedding party, I think we&#8217;re going to let it happen,&#8221; exclaimed Greene.

&#8220;They were nice, they stayed for a little bit, got their pictures and took off,&#8221; Greene continued. &#8220;Hopefully they had a good night.&#8221;

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I have a feeling they did.

*ahem*

Hello out there...We're on the air...IT'S HOCKEY NIGHT TONIGHT!!!!

Also....Happy 60th Anniversary Hockey Night in Canada!!!!!

One last thing, and this time I really really mean it too, for tonight/this morning....

GO LEAFS GO!!!

Thank the HockeyGods I can have the game on the laptop and Cdns in HD on the big screen in the Rec Room, so I can sort of watch both.

Starting with both Florida teams, the team in Phoenix, and the one in Columbus....

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The team in Phoenix (Coyotes) played in the conference championship last year, and there is excitement this year. The NBA team here just fired their head coach for having the worst record in the western conference. The NFL team fired their head coach and GM just a few weeks ago. The baseball season has not started. Right now the NHL team is the only pro sports team worth watching here. I am not really into college sports. I left college long ago and although I support ASU, I have no actual ties with it (other than a minor one- teaching 2 courses for one semester).

Best part of the night...Even better than hockey being back...Even better than the Leafs beating the Habs at home...

During the Opening in Montreal w/the past great Captains passing around the Torch, seeing it given to Mr. Jean Beliveau and that gentleman holding it up high and the torch not wavering a second for the time he held it.

Considering how serious the stroke he suffered last year was, and this is the first time since then that I've seen him, he looked really, really great. Yes, the one side of his face does droop a bit, but considering....That to me was the best part of the night.